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A Mandolin Strap question

Hello, fellow pickers,

This is my first post here. I have a 47" strap on my Loar mandolin. However, I'd like to have a longer one. The mandolin doesn't sit down in my lap the way I want it to for the proper posture. I do use a foot pedal, too. Does anyone know if they make any straps longer than that?

Re: A Mandolin Strap question

I have a nice Lakota strap on one mandolin, but the strap is just a bit too short. I used a leather boot lace and tied one end through the last hole of the mandolin strap and the other end around the endpin. The connection with the endpin is actually much more secure than my other straps and never slips off.

Re: A Mandolin Strap question

All of the above recommendations are good.
I’ll add a more generic idea for anyone who needs a different F-style strap and has some little bit of confidence in their craft abilities:

You can buy a length of leather from lots of leather suppliers or most tack shops. Get something about 5/8ths inch wide or any width you like. Get a length that will give you the length you need from tailpiece pin, over your shoulder to the fingerboard near the scroll; then add about 6 or more inches so that you can make a loop for the scroll.

Look ahead and make the loop the size you want and to fit the scroll.
You can just do a short section of knot as shown in the video or you can continue it until you run out of leather length for a more enhanced fancier look. End the knot on the back side and trim so that the trimmed end won't be seen. Then make a hole in the tailpiece end to make the proper length.

I’d practice on a scrap before you do the real deal to be sure you’ve got the idea.

Here’s one that I made with bison leather and extended the knot for over 25 inches:

Re: A Mandolin Strap question

Heck, you can just buy a long pair of bootlaces, noose at both ends and you can spend a whole seven bucks. I did this with my A 1. Seems right for that mandolin.

I got my Silverangel with a real nice braided strap meant for an F style. When I got an F style it turned out to be way too short. I finally tried it slung over the shoulder. Was perfect. I've always wanted a Stetson like Truman would have worn. More recently Tweedy.

Re: A Mandolin Strap question

Originally Posted by Br1ck

Heck, you can just buy a long pair of bootlaces, noose at both ends and you can spend a whole seven bucks. I did this with my A 1. Seems right for that mandolin..

I’ve temporarily used a boot lace in the past. I tried it again last week and the relatively narrow leather lace bothered my shoulder, even with the light weight of a mandolin. I guess that’s the opposite of manly?

Re: A Mandolin Strap question

I found a 1-inch wide braided leather belt at a thrift store for $3.00 and used a leather boot lace to create the front and rear loops to make a strap for my F-style. Great strap for a $6.50 investment. Be creative.

Re: A Mandolin Strap question

Originally Posted by Doug Brock

I have a nice Lakota strap on one mandolin, but the strap is just a bit too short. I used a leather boot lace and tied one end through the last hole of the mandolin strap and the other end around the endpin. The connection with the endpin is actually much more secure than my other straps and never slips off.